Joseph Robinson Foulkes
Joseph Robinson Foulkes (1888-1933)
1933 Obituary [1]
JOSEPH ROBINSON FOULKES was born in 1888 at Dalton in Furness and in 1904 he commenced a six years' apprenticeship with Messrs. G. Gilkes and Company, water turbine manufacturers, of Kendal.
He subsequently became leading draughtsman with Messrs. W. Gunther and Sons of Oldham.
In 1914 he was appointed chief draughtsman to Messrs. James Gordon and Company and was engaged upon the design and inspection of water power plant. While with this firm he designed a 3,300 h.p. Pelton wheel which was installed at Kinlochleven and was at that time one of the largest Pelton wheels ever designed in Great Britain.
Five years later he joined the hydraulic department of the English Electric Company in a similar capacity, and in 1921 was appointed chief designer to Messrs. Hay, Maryon and Company, for whom he was responsible for the design and installation of large water power plants in various parts of the world.
After several years he returned to Kendal to take charge of the drawing office of Messrs. Isaac Braithwaite and Son.
He died on 23rd October 1933.
Mr. Foulkes had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1922.